Transforming University Sports in India: A Call for Disruption and Change

University sports in India need a thorough transformation to progress into a new era marked by professionalism and achievement both on and off the field. The Indian team's 20th place finish with 12 medals at the recent FISU World University Games 2025 in Germany was disappointing compared to their performance in the 2023 edition in China. In 2023, India secured 7th place in the medal tally with 26 medals, a significant improvement from the 2019 edition, where they earned only 4 medals and ranked 28th. However, a major reason for India's drop in the medal tally is the absence of the shooting event in the 2025 edition. These performances show progress on the international stage, but the decline from 7th to 20th place in just two years underscores significant issues within the system.

The controversies that arose during the FISU 2025 event, highlights the inadequacies of the current system in nurturing talent and upholding integrity in sports. The Association of Indian Universities (AIU), which oversees university sports, is under scrutiny for its unprofessional behavior, raising serious concerns about its credibility.

It is time to rethink how we approach university sports in India. We need a system that not only uncovers talent but also champions fair play and professionalism.

The Current State of University Sports

In India, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) oversees university sports. To handle this area, AIU has established an AIU Sports Board and Sports Committee, which discuss and make decisions on all university sports-related matters. Recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) as a Sports Promotion Body, AIU Sports used to receive annual funding from the ministry, but this has been discontinued in recent years. Nonetheless, the entire management and operations of university sports are carried out by only two full-time officials at the AIU: the joint secretary (sports), who acts as the overall head, and one managerial staff member.

AIU delegates the organization of over 200 competitions each year to various universities. The fact that just two AIU sports officials manage this many events underscores a significant structural issue in the management and governance of university sports. This systemic flaw arises because the AIU Management Board dedicates minimal time to sports discussions, and Vice Chancellors prioritize academic excellence over sports. The current structure is extraordinarily inadequate, making the expectation for standardization and best practices in conducting the competitions impractical. The workload faced by these two officials is indescribable.

University sports in India often experience disorganization and a lack of professionalism. For example, competitions are frequently accused of unfair practices, with most complaints directed at host universities. These universities often go to great lengths to win championships through unfair means, raising concerns about the integrity of the competitions. Currently, the university sports system lacks sufficient safeguards. Although the AIU appoints observers, they often have no connection to the specific sport and fail in reporting and taking corrective actions. Such incidents undermine the integrity of competitions and discourage genuine participants and universities from taking part.

Furthermore, the existing regulatory framework governing university sports is outdated. Although initiatives like the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) have been introduced, the overall quality of university sports managed by AIU remains at an amateur level. While the KIUG has increased the focus on university sports, the competitions organized by the AIU have not seen any improvement since the inception of KIUG. A drawback of KIUG is that only the top 8 participants from the All India Inter-University Competitions in selected sports qualify for these significant university games. Khelo India needs to stipulate minimum standards for all university competitions to bring about changes in how the AIU manages these events.

There are claims of extensive substance abuse in certain university sports, with doping being a major concern. Additionally, there are accusations of ineligible participants competing in these events. The overall misconduct associated with university sports is widespread. It is crucial for university sports to involve NADA to address the doping issue and establish preventive measures to curb widespread doping.

Moreover, the organization of competitions frequently falls short of basic standards. Many participants express dissatisfaction with subpar playfields, insufficiently qualified officiating, and inadequate accommodations. Alarmingly, there is no complaint redressal mechanism available to tackle these fundamental issues. Additionally, the entire cost of logistics, boarding, and lodging is the responsibility of the participating universities. In some instances, it is challenging for the teams to cover these expenses due to budget constraints. Ultimately, the overall experience for the participating athletes is often disappointing.

Another reality is that often it is the interest and passion of the Director of Sports at the university that drives efforts to enhance the quality of university athletes and teams, despite a lack of institutional support for sports. The university board or Vice Chancellors may not be enthusiastic about integrating sports into the system, which results in genuine athletes and teams struggling as they rarely receive the necessary budget, infrastructure, coaching, or training support to prepare properly for competitions. Many sports directors and officials face challenges in managing sports at universities because the entire institutional framework is opposed to performance sports.

Only a few universities offer daily training, nutritional allowances, and strong coaching support for athletes. As a result, top athletes often refrain from participating in university sports despite being part of the university system. Many universities lack essential qualified coaching and support staff, and there are no provisions to hire qualified experts to deliver high-performance training to athletes. In numerous universities, coaches work on a daily wage basis, and due to insufficient institutional support, these part-time coaches merely fulfill basic requirements rather than making a significant impact. These coaches cannot be blamed, as they are often unable to operate professionally due to various constraints.

There is also a claim that those chosen for the FISU World University Games must cover their own expenses. In this situation, many talented athletes likely struggle to participate, indicating that AIU either cannot secure the necessary funding or is choosing to save its resources. When coaches, technical officials, and players have to finance their own participation in an international event like the World University Games, it highlights the amateur nature of university sports, which is very discouraging for the growth of sports and athletes.

The Motivation Behind University Sports

For numerous institutions, securing the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA Trophy) acts as a significant incentive. The MAKA Trophy, a rolling award established during the 1956-57 academic year, is presented annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to the university with the best overall sports performance. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three universities, and the trophy is handed over by the President of India.

This prestigious trophy is the main motivator for many universities, prompting them to actively recruit athletes to gather sufficient points to secure the MAKA Trophy. Another major incentive is boosting the university's reputation by recruiting top athletes and having them participate in inter-university competitions, with the goal of attaining top accolades and increasing the brand's worth. Now, with the commencement of KIUG, there is an additional incentive for teams to aim for top eight positions, granting them the chance to compete in the Khelo India University Games and win medals.

Some universities offer appealing cash prizes to sportspersons who win international medals, provided they are affiliated with the university. However, only a few universities are adequately preparing to excel in inter-university competitions.

The Need for Professional Structure

The entire university sports ecosystem in India urgently needs professional reform. To effectively transform the landscape, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports should create an independent University Sports Organization. This entity would be responsible for restructuring university sports to ensure they align with the schedules of the relevant sports federations. Having top athletes and Indian internationals participate in university sports would significantly enhance the quality of these competitions. However, achieving this requires a comprehensive overhaul and the adoption of a professional structure. Organizing inter-university competitions with professionalism and managing them like professional sporting events would elevate the university sports scene in India.

Incorporating university sports into India's broader sports framework can foster a nurturing environment for sports development. Engaging Sports Federations is crucial to creating a unified system that benefits all parties involved. An integrated sporting calendar would attract top talents to university competitions, leading to beneficial and productive outcomes that directly boost sports growth in India. Establishing a professional setup for university competitions will add value, ensure high-quality competition, and maintain established standards of integrity. Moreover, professionally organized university competitions would greatly enhance the value of the Khelo India University Games, as universities qualifying for these games would showcase top-quality performances.

Integrating technology into the management of university sports is essential. With this integration, the number of illegal participants and other malpractices will likely decrease, if not disappear entirely. University sports rarely appear on streaming platforms, which means that issues like poor officiating and inadequate facilities often go unnoticed by the media and relevant authorities. Making live streaming of university sports mandatory could address this. The use of technology would support authorities in reforming and improving the governance of university sports.

Disruption is Essential to Revamp the Current System

The new university sports organization should implement a University Sports Licensing System (USLS) to grade universities. These licensing grades would range from three-star to five-star accreditation. This star-level system would differentiate universities based on their sports infrastructure, historical achievements in sports, sports policies, athlete recruitment and training policies, quality of coaches, support staff, and the overall sports support system within the university. These three grading levels should determine the competition structure in which they compete. Additionally, based on sports performance, there should be promotion and relegation among these three competition divisions. Consequently, each sport will have its own promotion-relegation system, leading to a positive impact.

Furthermore, USLS should be included in the annual rankings of universities in India. Implementing a professional structure, a transparent sports licensing system, and establishing an independent University Sports Inc would bring about a transformative impact not only in the field of sports but also on the overall brand value of universities in India.

Initially, certain sports should introduce Professional University Sports Leagues, and a blueprint for this should be developed. Brands are likely to invest in any professionally managed university sports leagues due to the potential for high attendance, driven by the large youth population connected to universities. Cricket, basketball, football, Pickleball and volleyball are promising options to begin with. A think tank should be established to discuss and strategize the entire university sports sector in India and transform it. The opportunity is substantial, but what is lacking is a professional framework and intent.

Enhancing Collaboration with Sports Federations

A significant challenge for university sports is the lack of collaboration with sports federations. This isolated approach restricts potential growth. By establishing partnerships between universities and these federations, we could develop an integrated sports ecosystem that benefits all parties involved. Many sports federations face numerous challenges, such as issues with sports infrastructure, funding, and manpower. Through collaboration, federations could implement various initiatives, including coach education, high-performance centers, capacity-building programs, competitions, match officials training, and training camps. The possibilities are endless if there is cooperation and partnership between the two.

These collaborations could enhance training facilities, provide access to expert coaching, and elevate competition standards. For instance, partnerships with federations will enable talent scouting from university sports, allowing those talents to be nurtured under expert coaches. Additionally, through collaboration, universities with quality infrastructure and facilities could establish high-performance centers for specific sports. This alignment between the university and federation will be mutually beneficial, and the synergistic approach will greatly contribute to sports development.

Addressing Logistical Challenges

Logistical issues present another substantial barrier. Poor organization often results in inadequate facilities, subpar officiating, and chaos for participants.

To address these issues effectively, clear guidelines must be established for organizing competitions. There should be bidding regulations allowing universities to bid for competitions, with the process conducted transparently at least 2-3 years in advance. Currently, a fast-track system with little transparency determines which university will host zonal or All India competitions. The bidding regulations should include setting minimum quality standards for venues and ensuring that officiating is managed by qualified professionals appointed by the relevant national federations. Additionally, implementing a technology-enabled logistical management system would streamline the entire competition process, allowing student-athletes to concentrate on their performance.

The Role of Funding and Sponsorship

Financial constraints significantly impede university sports in India. Numerous institutions face challenges in obtaining adequate funding for sports programs, limiting their capacity to provide proper facilities and support to athletes. However, many private universities with large student populations do have resources available for sports. Yet, due to the absence of minimum standards, these universities fail to allocate sufficient budgets to sports. The UGC or relevant authorities should enforce a per capita budget allocation for sports to enhance the financial situation for sports in universities.

To attract corporate funding, sponsorship, media rights, and other revenue streams, it is essential to professionalize university sports. If broadcasters, streaming platforms, and media agencies perceive an increase in the value of university sports due to the establishment of professional leagues, effective management, the involvement of top athletes, and strong support and engagement from the university student community, then the commercial value of university sports can rapidly increase, leading to significant growth. Countries like the USA, Japan, and Canada exemplify how university sports can become commercially successful properties. India has the potential to achieve this, but it requires a professionally managed and structured approach to university sports, showcasing high levels of engagement and professional performance both on and off the field.

The Way Forward: Time for Action

The time for change has arrived. University sports in India need to evolve to foster talent, maintain integrity, and provide a supportive environment for sportspersons. As India rapidly elevates its standing in the global sporting arena and aspires to host the Olympic Games in 2036, university sports must not fall behind. Establishing an independent University Sports Organization, strengthening collaborations with sports federations, implementing professional structures and management, tackling logistical challenges, and securing essential funding and sponsorship can spark a revolution in university sports. Additionally, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) should establish a University Sports Think Tank to produce a Vision 2036 University Sports Report, aimed at transforming the landscape with groundbreaking initiatives.

The future of sports in India hinges on creating a strong university sports framework that nurtures talent and endorses fair play. Action must be taken now to ensure university sports in India thrive, cultivating athletes prepared to compete on the world stage with pride and integrity.